The civilian hero of Napier's Chaucer Rd shooting faces having to go on the dole if he can't find a job by next month.
Len Holmwood, shot by friend Jan Molenaar while trying to stop the gunman's rampage on May 7, 2009, says he has been told his work-related ACC paymentswill stop in March.
He has been actively looking for work since November, but this week started with yet another ride into town on his bike to deliver another copy of the CV.
"I've hardly ever been on the dole," he said. "And I just want to put this behind me and get-on with life, and a job." The tightness of the job market is just part of the hurdle he has to face, for there is mounting nervousness, and also the fear of rejection.
If the market didn't shape up soon he could look for earthquake recovery work in Christchurch, or further afield, he said.
"But I'd rather stay here," said the former Aucklander.
Initially critically injured and then requiring intense physiotherapy, he once faced the fear of not being able to work at all.
Laid-off from a labouring job in the construction industry downturn in early 2009, Mr Holmwood was at the time of the shooting about to start a new job at Napier's Ocean Spa Marine Parade bathing complex.
The opportunity was kept open for more than a year but while deemed fit for work, he said he had been unable to pass the tougher tests required for lifeguard duties.
He received Napier's Bruce Butler Award for bravery for grabbing a gun wielded by Molenaar and directing it away from injured police fleeing the shooting.
Senior Constable Len Snee had been shot dead and senior constables Grant Diver and Bruce Miller were seriously wounded when Mr Holmwood tried to wrestle the gun away and was shot.
